Native American Gangs

Sunday morning. Grey.
Worked at researching the problem of Native American gangs. It is a relatively new phenomenon, but follows an old pattern: young people in low income demographics, see little possibility for advancement within social mainstream so they become outsiders. Gang rituals ensure that they will remain outside the system.

What is positive about gangs? Kids want to belong to something. Through gangs they get a sense of identification.

Janet Hagberg's Real Power highlights this tendency for powerless people to band together in groups. Unions exemplify this, are a form of gang. People who feel isolated and powerless can gain something by joining together in a team. Bargaining power, identity. But there is always a price. The individual is forever a dependent. He is usually not free to find his own identity but must be loyal to the group, think like the group, and is dependent on the leader.

The gang issue is like a festering wound. More than half of all violent crime is committed by a small percentage of criminals. Are these (in this small percentage) all gang members? Some?

Taggers are non-violent, but vandalize by spray painting. There are whole squadrons of taggers competing to paint their designs. Are these the gangs on the rez? No, the problem there is violence and drugs.
Nov. 24, 2002